Agricultural tractor



May, 8, 1923.

H. LiWA SHBURN AGRICULTURAL TRACTOR Filed Sent. 25, 1919 6 Sheets-Sheet2 INVENTOR: Jirbart I;

I P ATTORNE s.

May 8, 923.

u-v- I FY11; w I

H I. WASHBURN AGRICULTURAL TRACTOR Filed Sent. 23 1919 6 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR 1. 11711311611271,

H. l. WASHBURN AGRICULTURAL TRACTOR iled Sent. 25,

' 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR:

- ii'erfierl' I. wasiz'bzzrzz WITNESSES: V

' BY p %((7 w- OJ-l.(

- ATTORNEYS.

'May 8, 1923.

' H. l. WASHBURN AGRICULTURAL TRACTOR Filed Sept. 23 1919 6 Sheets-Sheet6 FIGEJST:

mvzumk: )frbertf. waskbzmr;

WITNESSES cated by the line in Fig} Patented May 8, 1923.

HERBERT. I; WAsHBUBN, 0F MAGNOLIA, NEW JERSEY.,

AGRICULTURAL TRAeroe' I Application filed September 23, 1919,. Serial n325,796. i

To aZZ whom i'tmay concern:

Be it known that L'HERBERT I. Wasn- BURN, of Magnolia, in the countyofCaInden and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and usetulIInprovements inAgricultural Tractors, whereof thefollowing is I a.specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to agricultural tractors adapted for drawingagricultural implements of any well known or approved type. An apparatusof this sort is shownand described in my Patent #1087620 grantedFebruary [17, 1914;; The tractor shown in that patent is adapted forautomatic operation under the controliof a wire or cable connectedbetweenit and a center field post and serving. to guide it over a aspiral course over gradually increasing or decreasing radius orcurvature as may be desired. It is also capable of operation undermanual control.

The principal object of my present invention is the adaptation of thisgeneral type of tractor to crawler chain operation which affords theadvantage of more eflicient and more powerful traction. My in vention isalso concerned with improved steering gear which in connection with thecrawlerchain type of tractor can be caused to compel it to follow thedesired curvilineal path in tangential relation, so that the con-'volutions of the cours traced by the tractor may be comparativelyclosely spaced, in despite of the extent of contact area of the chainwith' the ground.

In the drawings, Fig. I is a plan VIQWHOI a motor crawler tractorconveniently embodying my invention.

Fin. II is a side elevation of thetractor as seen from the bottom ofFig. I, a casing which encloses certain parts being in section to renderthese parts visible. III is a rear elevation of the main crawler portionof'the tractor on a larger scale, certain parts being shown in sectionalongrline III-III of Fig. II.

F IV is a tfragmentary'view on an enlarged scale illustrating thepivotal connection between. thetractor unit and the guid: ing orsteering unit of the tractor,'these parts being indicated in dottedlines in Fig.

the crawler unit.

Fig. V is a sectlonal view at a plane indi- II and lying to the rear ofcertain parts of guide, .unit 2 associated therewith nt Pr x m t ethf s.

'1 a hed to the st ring and v I" and III, comprises a agreeme t; elementat d wee; are mean I I ig VI s an large plan'viewio steering mechanism[appearing in dotted lines in ihgE- being removed.

EigI, thecover' of its enclosed'cas- I 'weov ig, VII. is an enlargedQdetailed sectional View ake 0. he 1 eVI T-fYI- Fig-IV,

looking downward.

Fis- V s m n y t ledi an. of the parts below line VIILVIIIiih'Fig; IV;certain partsbeing in section atfsa id line VIII-VIII.

reg. IX. i a Sta gered erase sectional view [through the steeringmechanism,]taken as ind cated by the dot and dash line'IX fIX of Fig.v1.

F g-Xe parts lying below the line X,-X' in Fig,

"some of the partsap p ea'ring in section at said line.

perspective view of two 1cm detailed ,plan area. e

operative parts illustrated in X, O11

veniently separated.

-'Fig. XII, is detail; s gm ssec}; tion'al view througha portion of thesteering ine'chanisni cas'ing showin a supplemental steering beamwherebythe .tractor may I be manually guided'from a remote'poi'ntfior examplefrom a trailing vehicle creme; de-

vice and XIIIFXIII Y of Eig. XII. Referring" first. to Figs; will beseen that the device:fcomprisesfan endless chain crawler. unit I, ofsubsta iitial ground-contact base length. andio'f narrow a is, 'XIIIisaplan section a1b g 'th h s v I, 11 Lana 111,31.

ground-contact base width; and a deflector,

The

crawler unit. 1,. comprises as its principal partsfa-chain and power"'plant' ,;stru ture appearing at ,the front of Fig. lf'and. at

the rigihtof ri nrand a steering "attach-Z ment structure 3 5' appearinp": at the top: of

Fig. I and, in part," to theleftandtop of III. Thisstructure3includes-asframe.

1i. r e it will be een a ta ilii iins; outrigger 'in'f the form of anextension l. w es x n en b Su ab y amp r to. at-6, nd a s .Qr the p ror; ll as a sfieelr gifw i 8 n other t ering mhen s f unt d; in. 0.9

tor g e unit as wil 'he-ise fi ein F Iand II; comprises deflectorarmelemen Y tached to the crawler and power plant structure in such awayas to permit independent relative movement of the deflector arm elementvertically with reference to the contact base, to compensate for theinequalities of the ground; as shown in'Fig. III, this connection is bymeans of a horizontal trunnion 13, formed on the frame 39, and pivotallymounted on ball bearings between the main body portion of said crawlerand power plant structure and'a bracket 14, attached thereto. To enablethe deflector guide unit 2, to perform its functions of guiding andsteering the tractor, it is attached to the steering structure 3, bymeans of a vertical pivotal attachment 15, so as to be horizontallyshiftable with reference thereto. The deflector element 11 is, in turn,made angularly shiftable with reference to the arm 10 and to the crawlerground contact base, by virtue of verticalpivotal attachment to said armat 16. The steering of the tractor, is therefore, effected by suitablyshifting the arm 10 with reference to the crawler unit and thedeflectorelement 11 with reference to the arm 10, as hereinafterdescribed.

In. automatic operation, the deflector element is controlled by means ofan extension bar 17, whose outer end is attached to a flexible connectorin the form of a wire or cable 18, extending from a field center post ina manner clearly shown and-described in the patent herein beforereferred to.

Still referring to Figs. I, II and III, it will beseen that the crawlerunit and power plant structure comprises an endless tractor chain 20, ofany approved design whose principal operating parts are enclosed in acasing or housing 21. On a bracket -22 forming part of said housing, aremounted a, motor 23, (here diagrammatically represented as an internalcombustion engine) and a transmission casing or housing 24, at the rearof said motor. The transmission, from the engine shaft to the drivingtractor sprocket wheel 25, comprises a worm 26, on a transmission shaft27, which is geared to the engine shaft, said worm open atin'g a wormwheel 28 on a counter shaft 29. .On the shaft 29 is a sprocket wheel 3O,which is connected by a chain 31, with another sprocket 32, on the shaftof wheel 25. A clutch 33, controls the driving c011- nection between theengine and thetractor chain 20, and is operable by a lever 34, extendingwithin convenient reach of the operators seat 7.

Referring, now, to FigsI, II, IV and V, it will be seen that the pivotalconnection 15 between the frame 39 and the arm 10 comprises a pair ofknuckles 37, 37 on said frame 39 and a similar pair of knuckles 40, 40on abracket 41, forming part of said arm 10. Through these knucklesextends an axis member, here shown as in the form of a hollow sleeve 42.Co-axial with the sleeve 42, is pivotallymounted an auxiliary movableelement 43, by means of an ex tended knuckle 44, embracing said sleeve.Said auxiliary movable member 43 is subject to the pull of coiledsprings '38, 38 extending from a fixed anchorage 36, on frame 39, see'Fig. IV. These springs serve to maintain the proper working tensionupon the flexible guideconnector 18, during automatic steering, as willbecome apparent from the description of operation of the apparatus whichfollows lateron.

' The various parts which have the sleeve 42 as their axis aresurmounted by a casing 45', which is attached to the frame 39, andserves to enclose and protect certain operating parts of the steeringmechanism proper. will be seen from Figs. I, IV, V, VI, VIII and IX,there is mounted within this casing, co-axial with said sleeve 42, acrank arm 46, whose lower side is in toothed engagement with thecorrespondingly toothed upper side of the upper knuckle 40, of thebracket 41, of the deflector arm 10, and is clamped there against by thehollow bolt 47, screwed into said knuckle, so that said arm 46 is, ineffect, a part of member 10. The movable auxiliary element 43, on theother hand, is interconnected with the deflector element 11 by means ofa link rod 48, pivoted to said aux .iliary member at 49, and to an arm9, of the mounting of the deflector wheel 11, at 50 (see also Fig. II).It will beseen, therefore, thatby movement of the crank arm 46, withinthe casing 45, the deflector arm 10, will be shifted horizontallythrough the same angle with reference to the crawler. It will also beseen that by movement of the auxiliary member 43 with reference to thecasing 45, and the frame 39, the deflector element 11 will be angularlyshifted in a horizontal direction with reference to said deflector arm10, or vice versa.

Referring now to the steering mechanism Figs. IV, V, VI and IX, it willbe noted that its protective casing 45, is provided with a top cover 51,which is preferably removably secured, so that access may be readily hadto the parts in the interior for purposes of lubrication and adjustment.Mounted for rotation in said casing is a shaft 52, which protrudes atone end beyond the casing to afford attachment for the hand mental gaugeplate 101 su'perimposedupon sv the link 57 and provided withfwasher'ends1 which fit over its pivot pins, as; clearly;

shown in Fig. VI. Said gauge plate has upturned projections .102, 103,5which lie in the path of the free'end of the arm 72, of the bellcranklever. Thus, when the. link has shifted to a certain point in,either direction, the. lug of the gauge which happens to. occupy anactive position, by its Contact with the lever, causes the disconnectionof the clutch couple on shaftW then in op;

eration, and thereby prevents further trans mission of rotation to thescrew shaft. This independent movement imparted to the "bell crank11101)]3081131011 to. the direction obtain- -ing.at the time undertheaction of the e3? terior steering elements is permitted by the flexible.spring connection between the disks 64 and 65 at thetop ofthe; shaft-59, the. action of whichhas already been explained. v In this way,jamming of the screw 52, and

thepossibility ofbreakage'oi any 'ofthe associated parts ispositivelyprevented.

In the hand operation of the synmotor, the 'auxiliary element 43, islocked iii-fixed relation-to the frame 89 by a locking dog 105 (Fig.*VIII) which is loosely mounted upon a'ver'tical shaft 106;supportedfatvits lower end (Fig. IV) inla bearing lug 107, extendinglaterally, fronrsaid' frame. The upper end of-the shaft protrudesthrough the base of casing 45, toafi'ord' attachment" 2 Y for an arm109' (Fig. .VI). Tothis arm is secured'onefenc'l of a coiled spring110,which.

extends from a fixed anchorage pin 111, within the casing. Referringagain to Fig. VIII, the dog'is shown as formed with a notch112,"a'dapted-tor co-operationwith a 113, on the auxiliary element 43. 3Thus it will be seen, that when the dog engages said pin,'te1ement' 13will be locked rigidly to the frame 39,-and the springsv 88,:Jor1di' I HI narily effective thereon rendered inactive. The dog is shifted bymeans-of ahand lever 115, keyed upon the shaft"106,*land formed withintegral depending lugs 116,117; adapted 'for co-operation with a singleupstanding lug 118, on the dog. Thus when the lever 115, is movedcounterclockwise,thelug 117, thereon, coacts with thelug 118, on the dogtofshift the lattertoward the pin'113 on the auxiliary element4t3r Whenthe handlever is turned clockwise, the lug 116 coacts' with 55 the lug118 oflthe dog in'tending to swing the latter clear of the path of thepin. The

lostmotion in-the actionof the hand l'ever,

by reason of the space between its lugs 116 and 117, permits therotation of the shaft 106,"toa sufiicient'extent to" bringabout atransposition of the Spring -11O eitherrto' oneside or'other' of whatmay be'termed its dead center line, with'relation to the shaft centerand fixed anchorage pin. either event, the torsional effect of thespring upon -porarilyfmanually relieved;

controlled by 'Iwheel the 'sha'it will be suchas-to tend to auto-maticallyshitt the doginto or out of engagement I with the pin 113,-; ;onfauxiliary frame 43, when the tension o f ,-the spring 38, is .tema Itachment' for agricultural p i 1 'Asa means of at Vv'hen thetractorislemployed to drawya trailing vehicle orseparate agricultural ap-yparatus, 113 130113611 advantageous forthe op erative to'beable toeffect steering'fro'm the drawn apparatus rather; than fromthetrace torit'selil, For this purpose,.the supplemenfi tal steering appurtenan'ceillustrated in" Figs.

lower'end of a shaft 127, extending-through the cover 51,0fthe casing415;. 1 {To the upper protruding end a of the: shaft 127, is" attached asteering beam 128.. -Theends of thebeam tachment of ropes; or? reins"which. mayffbef vehicle. FromFig. XII1it is tobe noted X11 and XIII', isprovided. :ln-these'figures) i 'theparts'o'f the: tractor alreadydes'cribe d areoindicated by the same reference characs tersas before.In, the present instance" the bell crank lever'jhav'ingthe armsTO and72, has projecting dowel pinsy.12 5, wh ich areengageable byasocketimember 126,,onthe" are-formed witheyes 129-129 for. the ats theoperator fromthe drawn 1;!

that the T attachment of the supplemental steering elements, is suchthat thecover. 51.. 'o'f'the' casing 45', may be readily removed 1without the necessity Lot. any disassembling.

- The. manual operationof the device'vis follows To arrange locked intothe auxiliary] elements" 43, is g 39.4 This is;

fixed relation .with the .frame accomplished. by a turning the theposition illustrated ni Fig;

117 thereon, engaging the lu'g 11 8 upon-the dog and urging the sametoward the pin.

113 on eleme t 43." By manually shifting operative notch. 112 ofelement?}4 e3.rj? As a consequence I these parts automatically lock andare thus m'a-intained' by 12 0 1; 0 ithe spring 110, upon'shaft.106,,an d'=lever tending to rotate the same in a counterclock-g wisedirectlon. After the preliminary lset J ting j 'ust described, therotation of the'hand 8, in one or theother-directiorf, fwill the Vsynmotor for steeringu'nde'r control-ofithe hand wheel 8 .I

. 1 0 lever 115,130 I .vinaheiug the deflecting wheel ,I11,- the pin 113isf' brought intofprop'er' registry with. the cocausecorresponding,shifting of the: arin10, j under the actuation of'the arm4:6,:which-is coupled topslideblock"55f. The efi'ect,of the movement the11011 the". ang lar position of thedeflecting;wheeLll, withre wheel 8,already referred to. end of. said shaft is threaded as indicated at 54,for engagement with a slide block 55, supported for reciprocation in aguideway 56, in the casing. by means of a link 57 with the end of thecrank arm 46. Thus, by rotating the hand wheel 8', either in onedirection or the, other, the corresponding motion is translated by thescrew shaft and the other intervening elements, and transmitted, to thedeflecting mechanism 2-, and steering is accordingly manuallyaccomplished.

Passing again to Fig. V, it will be noted that the element d3, has inaddition to its bearing knuckle id, a lower knuckle 58. which is splinedto an enlargement formed upon the lower end of a shaft 59, extendingcoaxially through' the sleeve 42, of the pivotal jointv 15, and into thecasing 45, of the steering mechanism 3. The upper end of the shaft 59 issquared as shown at 63, for the attachment of a disk 64. Associated.with said disk. is a second disk 65, which is loosely mounted upon theshaft 59, and has the same general configuration as the former exceptfor jaw extension 66, see Fig. XI. Each of the disks comprises a centralhub 67, from which extends a radial web of even depth, said web havingnotches 68, 68, for the reception of the ends of a laminated bow spring69, as shown in assembly in Fig. X. When the disk 64, is superimposedupon the other, in the relation suggested in Fig. XI, and the couplefinally assembled as shown in Figs. V and IX, the spacing is such as toprovide a clearance interval for the accommodation of spring 69. It willbe further seen that the spring 69, of such width as to simultaneouslyengage the notched webs of both disks. so that the latter are heldaligned and normally operate as a unit. By

this construction, the jaw disk 65, is so mounted upon the shaft as tobe capable of yielding to permit excess deflection of the steeringelements in a manner to be further hereinafter described.

Referring again to Fig. VI and also to gaged within. the of disk 65. isone arm 70. of bell crank lever, having its ful crum upon a fixedbracket 71!. The other arm 72, of said lever carries a roller 73, whichoperates within the groove of a collar 75', forming part ofa clutchmember 76, fixed upon a shaft 77. Said shaft parallel to the screw shaft52, and also car ries a second fixed clutch member 76., disposed inreversed relation with respect to the first, and spaced therefromsuitable interval for the accommodation of sleeve 79, which is looselymounted upon the l t and provided at its ends with fixed collars 80.Said collars serve as retainers for the double crown clutch members 81and The opposite Said block is connected ing direction is imparted. toit.

'gears83 and 84, are simultaneously driven in opposite directions by aconstantly rotat-. ing intermeshing bevel pinion 86. Said pinionis fixedto the upper end of a vertical shaft 87, which extends down through aboss of the casing 45, and terminates within the hollow of the trunnionbearing 13, of the frame 39, see Fig. III. In the interval between thecasing and the hearing the shaft is protected against exposure by afixed sheathing sleeve 88. To the lower end of the shaft is securedbevel pinion 89, which receives motion from a similar pinion 90, upon astub shaft 9i iournalled within the transmission casing 24-. 91, isdriven by a chain 92, from the counter shaft 29, already described. Bythese means, therefore, power to actuate the shift ing means (includingthe clutch 76, 78,) of the steering mechanism is transmitted from thepower plant of the crawler unit through the trunnion connectionl3,without-interference with or from relative movement of the parts tocompensate for inequalities of '77, carries a spur pinion 93;, whichmeshes with the gear 95, upon the screw shaft 52. Thus, when the shaft 77, is shifted so that one or the other clutcheouples are connected,rotative motionin. the, correspond- This motion is in turn transmittedthrough the gears 93, 95, to the'screw shaft 52. tliercb c-ausingmovement of the slide h lock, either forward or rearward, the case ,maybe.

As best shown in Figs. IV, and VII, to the lower end of the verticalshaft 59., is fixed an arm 96, which has alinked connection with thepiston 97, of anoil filled dash pot 98 secured to. a lug 99 on the frame39 by means of a screw bolt 1 00. In automatic steering, anyspasmodic,impulses-will be absorbed by said dash pot. This adjunct andits specific purpose will also" be; better understood from furtherdescription.

As a protection against the possibility of breakage of any of the partsof the steering mechanism during automatic operation or reinsteered-manual control, I prefer to rest ict the motion of the sli block55, in casing 45, within prcdete ined limits. This I accomplish by theaid of a supple- Shaft lation to the crawler is independently b ltthedisk members. 64, 65 atghe top ofthe i cooperatively augmented by theaction of the link 18 upon the projection 9, ;of the deflector wheelmounting, owing to the crossed arrangement of the rod l8 with referenceto the arm lO an'd tothe fact that the connections of said arm 48 at l9and 60 are at 015-.

posite sides of the centerlines of the pivotal axes 15 and 16 on the arm10. By the compounded action thus obtained, thepro-per coordinationbetween the, crawler and the steering elements is cooperativelyestablished in allangularpositions-so that the device may accuratelytrace a curved path of the minimum width of'ground Contactcommensuratewith the length of the crawler.

The "automatic operation of thedeviceisv as follows:

Ineffecting such operation, thesynn otor isconnecte'd by means oftheguide wire 18,

to'a center'post in the field which is to be ,cultivate'cLf-so that thedevice is caused to trace asp'iral'courseof either increasing'ordecreasing radius, depending .upon the direction of travel andonpwhether the wireis. accordingly either unwound from, .orwound uponthe post- Preparatoryto setting the synmotor in motion; theoperativeswings the lever 115 (Fig. vine). is a clocl rwise eurection, so thatthe lug. 116 of the latter'engages the co-operative l'ug118, on dog10"5,

and withdraws the same from engagement with the pin 113, onelement 4e3when fric tionbetween 112 and 113 isrelieved by operators pressure uponarm 17 in the temporarily holdingl? while, pitching it to wire 18. Atthe same time, the rotation of shaft 106 causes the spring 110,,tobe'transposed te the opposite side of theneutral axis with 3 relation tothe shaft center from the position illustrated. The torsional effectexerted by the 'springupon the. shaft is therefore in a, counterdirection tending to. maintainthe dog in inactive or retracted;positions Con;

, ,jsideringthe various parts thus set, the guide wire'18properlyconnected to the steering, f'pole and the motor started. Theapparatus isv now .given over to theautomatic. control.

As soonas traction begins the natural tend ,aency of the device tofollowv a substantially straight line is thwarted by the pull inducedupon the guide wire. -AS a result, the de-. fleeting wheel 11, will bebodily turned upon. i the pivotal axis 16 of its mounting intotangential relation with. the curvature of the At this point it becomesnecessary to effect a complipredetermined course of travel.

'mentaryrelative angular adjustment of the crawler. This isaccompl-ishedthrough the action of the arm 9, of the 'deflectingwheelmounting upon the connecting rod 48, which 7, swings the element 43,and. the latter by reason of its splined connection withthe shaft59,causes rotation. oflthe same. This motion of the shaftis transmittedthrough thereon, engages" the e o-operative,

\ mitted through the pinion 93, andg ea 10 is first shifted (theauxiliary elementitgi same to the bell crank 76,: 7Q a iid th'efihfli-i' e ofithe latter are; shifts eheli l'imcli,

shaft 77., Said shaftislt us move dito e left (Fig: V sothat the clutchre nt r member 81, to receive tation ofthe shaft is immediately. tra

tether screw shaft 52, thexl tter; upon theslide bloclg 55and throfug-hthe r H p ed nk 7 ndgcr n M1 146; sw n the defle'ctor. arm 10' inwardly(Figi' lli I e y effecting p ne irel ve n 1 'e1 ei r- 1 ,r 9* crawler,1n thecourseofthereadjustinentgfl justment of the defiec ting wheelandth e of these partsgthe reactive 1 effectfof-thef i" longitudinal motionI induced in ethe rod 1 causes-a counter 'rotative movement of the shaft59, thereby restoringthe fdiskcouple 8 =77f, .to the normalorneutralpositions illus-y trated in Fig.- Vl. Thus aft-each appreciable changeinthe curvature of thespiral v( ur se,-".

the hinged parts of the deflecting {niechae 9Q,

nism are cooperatively and tcop-rdinatel'y shiftedin correspondence tomaiiitainfanabj.

solute compensative" tangential relation, o f"v the steering wheel andthe crawler. Q The" engagement of either the guide wheel ;1;1,:- (';irthe. s i z g elf, wi h-abn mal oibstructions inthe'path oftravelwould'tel d ordinarily to setthe flexible connector'wire 18,intogviolent vibration, butsuch 1-spes-, v

the feed screw shaft 52, is: so controlled w'; i

absolutely prevent jamming jand' resultant) breakage- I 1 it 1 e l c forIn either manualorfautomatic steering-,- therefore, one of theelements-10 or ll-y ah ternatively, is initially shifted, and -the'otheris therebycooperatively shifted in automatic coordination. Inj manualsteering, thearm being fixed in the 11143111161: abovedescribed)",

d t defl ctor. 11 -is, thereby di re'ctly shifted, both bytheran'gulanswing ofthe} arm itself, and by means; of the? parts {9. andi 48, 'etc-., In automaticsteering, thedefiectory 9 is firstshi'fted, bymeansjoff the arm 17v and the connector or guide wire 18-,5and* therelay I comprisingthe clutches T6 and 78 is thereby brought into action(by themovement of the; auxiliary element43 through it's intercon Igo;

nection with the deflector element) to shift the arm. The movement ofthe auxiliary element 43 in one direction or the other cont'rolstheshifting of the clutch shaft 77 and brings about a correspondingselective engagement of the appropriate cooperating clutch elements.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a syn-motor, thecombination of a crawler uniti of substantial ground-contact baselength, and a deflector guide unit comprising a deflector arm elementmovable with.

reference to the contact base to compensate forlinequalities of theground and a deflecand 'angularly shiftable with reference to thecrawler unit and independently movable to compensate for inequalities ofthe ground, and a manually operable power multiplying means to shift thearm to forcibly deflect and steer the crawler while in motion.

3. In a syn-motor the combination of a crawler unit of substantialground-contact base length; an attachment structure having a trunnionconnection wit-h said crawler unit so as to be independently movable tocompensate for inequalities of the ground; and a deflector guide unitangularly shiftable with reference to said attachment structure andcarried thereby to forcibly deflect and steer the crawler while inmotion.

4. In a syn-motor,.the combination of a crawler unit-of substantialground-contact base length; a deflector arm element and an.

attachment structure so connected together as to permit horizontalshifting of the arm element with reference to the crawler unit, saidattachment structure being so connected to said crawler unit as topermit relative vertical movement of the parts'to coinpensate forinequalities of the ground; and steering mechanism on said attachmentstructure comprising means for horizontally shifting said arm element asaforesaid to forcibly deflect and steer the crawler while in motion.

5. In a syn-motor, the combination of a crawler unit; a deflector-guideunit comprising a deflector arm element horizontally shiftable withreference to said crawler unit and a deflector element angularlyshiftable with reference to said arm; and means for initially-shiftingone of said elements and thereby directly and co-operatively shiftingthe other in manual steering, and initially shifting said latter elementin automatic ing a deflector arm element horizontally shiftable withreference to said crawler unit and a deflector element angularlyshiftable with reference to said arm; and means for initially shiftingthe deflector element and thereby automatically and. co-operativelyshifting the arm element in automatic steer ing, and vice-versa inmanual steering.

7. In a syn-motor, the combination ofa crawler unit; a deflector guideunit comprising a deflector arm element horizontally shiftable withreference to said crawler unit and a deflector element angula-rlyshiftable with reference to said arm; an auxiliary movable elementassociated with said crawler unit and interconnected with said deflectorelement; means for initially shifting 'said deflector element. andthereby bringing into action a relay to co-operatively shift said armelement through resultant movement of" said auxiliary element inautomatic steering; and means for fixing said auxiliary element andinitially shifting said arm element to cause co-operative'shifting ofsaid deflector element in manual steering.

8. In a syn-motor, the combination of a crawler unit; a deflector guideunit cornprising a deflector arm element horizontally shiftable withreference to said crawler unit and a deflector element angularlyshiftable with reference to said arm; means for initially shifting saiddeflector element and thereby bringing into action a relay tocooperatively shift said arm element; and means for automaticallydisconnectingsaid relay to prevent overaction thereof. v

9. In a syn-motor, the combination of a crawler unit; an attachmentstructure movable with reference to said crawler unit to, compensate forinequalitles of the ground;

a deflector arm element horizontally shiftable about a pivotalconnection with said" attachment structure; a deflector elementangularly shiftable about a pivotal connectionwith said deflector armelement; an auxiliary element freely movable about the pivotalconnection between the attachment" structure and the deflector armelement; 'a

crank for said deflector element; a rod connecting said crank with theauxiliary ele ment; means for initially shifting said deflector element;and a relay brought into action by the resulting motion of the auxiliary element to cooperatively shift; said deflector arm element.

10; In a syn-motor, the combination of'a crawler unit; an attachmentstructure mov-, able wlth reference to said crawler unit to compensatefor inequallties of the ground;

a deflector arm element horizontally shiftg able about a pivotalconnection with said attachment structure; a deflector element angularlyshiftable, about a-pivotal connection with said deflector arm element;an auxiliary element freely movable about the pivotal connection betweenthe attachment structure and" the deflector arm element,;a

crank for said deflector element, and rod connecting said-t crankv andsaid auxiliary element at opposite sides of the line of their pivotalaxes; means for initially shifting said deflector element; and a relaybrought into action by the motion transmitted through said rod tocooperatively shift -the deflector element. v

11. In a'syn-motory the combination of a crawler unitya deflectorguide'unithorizontally shiftable" about a' pivotal connec-:

r tion with said crawler unit; and a steering zontally shiftable about apivotal connec r tion with said crawler unit; a deflector elementangularly 'shiftab le about a pivotal connection with said deflector armelement;

an auxiliary movable element, mounted'for 5 independent movement aboutthe pivotal axis ofthe deflector arm element, andinfl-f terconnectedwith said deflector element; means for initially shifting saidfdeflectorelement; and relay mechanism thereby brought into action toco-operatively shift saidarm element through movement of said auxiliaryelement, said relay mechanism comprising a crank arm for shifting saiddeflector arm element, a slide block connected to said crank arm, ascrew shaft engaging said slide block, anda clutch mecha nism controlledby said auxiliary movable element. d 13. In a syn-motor, the combinationof a crawler unit;- a deflector arm element hori zontally shiftableabout i a pivotal connection with said crawler unit;-a deflectorelementangularly shiftable about a pivotal connectionwith said deflectorarmelementg, an auxiliary movable element, mounted for independentmovement about the pivotal axis of the deflector arm element, and in-iterconnected' with said deflector element;

" means for initially shifting said deflector element; and relaymechanism thereby brought into action to co-operativelyshift said armelement through movement of said auxiliary element, saidi relaymechanism comprising a crank arm for shifting said deflector, armelement; a slide block connected to said crank armpa screw shaftengaging said slide block, a shiftable clutch shaft. having a gearconnection with 's'aid screw I shaft "and?-- provided ,with spaced 5positely' disposed clutchjcollars; a continu v,

ously rotating f double crowned clutch member freely mountedupon'saidshaft 'bctwe' enf said I clutch collars, and m ans vvhereby theinduced movement 'of'theii auxiliary element a in one direction or "theothercontrolsl the shifting of the clutch shaft and brings about acorresponding selective engagement A of the clutch I elements.

1a. In a syn-motor, the;combination of.ar

crawler: unit; a deflector arm element h'ori} ment, angularlyshi'ftableabout a pivotal v zontally 1 shittable about a pivotal connec- I i vtionfwith said crawler unitga deflectoreleconnection with saiddeflectonarin lement;

independent movement about 'the I pivotal an auxiliarymoveableelementmounted fm of the deflector arm element; and inter-- 3 vconnectedwith said deflector element means I for initially shifting saiddeflector element"; 1

and relay mechanism thereby brought into act-ion to cooperatively shift"said 5 arm ole ment through 'inovement of said auxiliarya) clutchmechanism controlled by the auxiliaryelement, said relay including"ay'selective element, and -an'interposed safety connect; 5

' ing member for absorbing excessive motion 15. a syn-motor, thecombination of crawl'eri nit; 'a deflector, armelement hori; a zontallyshiftable. about a" pivotal connee tion with said crawler unit"; adeflector elemerit angularly shiftable about pivotal connection--w1th!sa1d deflector arm element;

independent movement about the pivotal ieo auxiliarymovableelement,mounted for axis of the deflector arm element, and inter-f? connectedwith said deflector element means i for initially shifting saiddeflectorelement;

and relay mechanism "thereby brought into". i I b action to-"c'ooperatively shiftsaid jarm'ele- Q ment through movement of saidauxiliary element, saidfrelay mechanism comprising a crank arm forshifting'said deflector arm. element, a slide block connected tofs'aidcrank arm, screw shaft engaging said slide'bloCk, a clutch mechanism,operatively connected with said screw shaft asafety connecting meansinterposed between the auxiliary element and-,the 'clutch mecha nism,and. means controlled by the ,m0v'e. ment of; the screw shattf'forgautomatically fl l disconnecting the clutch .in the event excessivemotion of'the' auxiliary memberi' to protect the relay mechanism frominjury.

"16. In a: syn-motor, the combination of an,"

crawler unit; an attachment;structure movable ivith reference to saidcrawler unit a deflector arm element horizontallyshiftable "aboutla-pivotal connection with said attach:

ment structure; aigdeflector element ,an'gu with said deflector armelemerity'ariindje- 'larly shiftable-about' a pivotal 'connectionpendently movable auxiliary element secured I to a shaft running axiallythrough the pivotal connection betweenthe attachment, structure anddeflector arm element; means for initially shifting said deflectorelement; and relay mechanism thereby brought into action to co-operatii'ely shift said deflector arm element through movement of said auxiliaryelement, said relay mechanisn'i comprising ascrew shaft, means fortranslating the motion of the screw shaft to shift the deflector armelement, a clutch for control ling the rotation of the screw shaft;means for shifting said clutch, and a safety device connecting theclutch shifting means with the shaft of the auxiliary movable element,and comprising a pair of substantially similar disk members, one fixedto said shaft and the other movable with respect thereto,

and yielding means for normally maintain-.

tially shifting said deflector element as aforesaid to forcibly deflectand steer the crawler, includingan arm for connection to a lateral guideline; means for thereby automatically and cooperatively shifting saidarm; and means for actuating said latter means directly from behind thesyn-motor for hand steering.

18. In a syn-motor, the combination of a crawler unit including anarrow-single endless tread element, an outrigger, an arm carried by theunit for sidewise movement and iaring its free terminal extended inadvance of the unit to adistance suflicient to function in the mannerstated, a rolling element carried upon said free terminal for contactwith'the ground, and a power multiplying means for shifting the arm toforcibly .defleet the unit out of its path to a new path of travel.

19. In a syn-motor, the combination of a crawler unit including arelatively narrow single endless tread element, an outrigger, an armcarried by the unit for sidewise movement and having its free terminaldi rected in advance of the unit to a distance sufficient to functioninthe manner stated, a rolling element pivotallycarried by the freeterminal ofthe arm,.a power multiply ing means acting upon the arm toshift the same to forcibly deflect the unit out of its path to a newpath of travel and means for directing the rolling element to guide theunit along its altered path of travel.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia,Pennsyl- Vania, this 22nd day of September, 1919.

HERBERT i. WASHBURN.

Witnesses:

JAMES H. BELL, E. FULLERTON;

